Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced the extension of the current nation-wide lockdown to May 3. However, intensive containment measures at hotspots will be taken till April 20 in order for areas to qualify for any relief measures and freedom of mobility, especially for hawkers and daily-wage workers. He added that a detailed guideline on the contours of this extended lockdown will be issued by the government on Wednesday.
Mr. Modi addressed the nation via a Television broadcast and emphasised on the fact that while economy is important but there’s nothing greater than the lives of people.
“After speaking to all States and even based on suggestions from our citizens, the lockdown has been extended to May 3. Till April 20, identified hotspots will see even more strict checks and only when there is some success in dealing with the outbreak in designated hotspots, will some freedom of mobility be granted, that too under strict conditions. I keep in my mind our poor brothers and daily-wage workers when I speak of opening spaces, but even if one case emerges from these hotpots, the lockdown will be back in place again,” he said.
He praised the resolve and discipline shown by Indian citizens during this lockdown which has helped the country to keep the number of cases at a favorable rate in comparison to other countries.
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Lockdown extended till May 3, says PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi
PM Narendra Modi | Photo Credit: Twitter/@narendramodi
Nistula Hebbar
NEW DELHI 14 APRIL 2020 11:27 IST
UPDATED: 14 APRIL 2020 12:13 IST
Intensive containment measures will be in place at hotspots till April 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the extension of the current nation-wide lockdown to May 3, with intensive containment measures at hotspots till April 20 in order for areas to qualify for any relief measures and freedom of mobility, especially for hawkers and daily-wage workers. He added that a detailed guideline on the contours of this extended lockdown will be issued by the government on Wednesday.
Addressing the nation via a television broadcast, Mr. Modi made the point that while the efforts to fight coronavirus were keeping the situation under control, it was not time to relax one’s guard and that the economic cost “may appear big, but is not so when compared to the lives of our citizens.”
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“After speaking to all States and even based on suggestions from our citizens, the lockdown has been extended to May 3. Till April 20, identified hotspots will see even more strict checks and only when there is some success in dealing with the outbreak in designated hotspots, will some freedom of mobility be granted, that too under strict conditions. I keep in my mind our poor brothers and daily-wage workers when I speak of opening spaces, but even if one case emerges from these hotpots, the lockdown will be back in place again,” he said.
He said that Indians had displayed exceptional discipline and resolve during the lockdown and managed to keep the number of cases at a level that was favourable compared to several rich countries. “Even before our first case, we had put in place screening at airports for international travellers and quarantine measures; when we hit 550 cases, we went in for a strong lockdown, and if you compare where we are at with the number of our cases, our situation — with our limited resources — is still better than other, richer countries,” he said. Mr. Modi pointed out that India has managed over one lakh beds and 600 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals.
“Your efforts exemplify what is meant by the phrase ‘We the People of India’ in our Constitution. It is the true homage to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary,” Mr. Modi added.
He carried on and said that government is making all the neccesary efforts in order to help farmers with their ongoing Rabi harvest and procurement and that country has adequate amount of both food and medicines.
